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Accused stalker ordered to stay away from Uecker

MILWAUKEE -- A woman accused of stalking Hall of Fame baseball announcer Bob Uecker must stay away from him for four years under a restraining order issued Thursday that bars her from attending any game he broadcasts.

A court commissioner issued the order after Ann Ladd testified that she would not have further contact with Uecker but still hoped to attend Milwaukee Brewers games.

"I'm a Brewer, a Brewer fan," said Ladd, 45, of Prospect Heights, Ill. She declined to comment after the court proceeding. Uecker and his attorney also declined to comment.

Uecker, 72, has contended that Ladd has been stalking him for six or seven years, sending unwanted gifts and appearing at ballparks and hotels throughout the country. He said in court filings that she had been approaching him asking for his help with her charity work.

At a civil hearing in July, Uecker said he wanted the restraining order so he could regain control of his life.

Uecker filed a civil case against Ladd in early June, and she was charged later that month with a felony charge of stalking him. Ladd, who has pleaded not guilty, could face up to 3½ years in prison if convicted.

Uecker parlayed his underwhelming .200 batting average over seven major-league seasons into a successful media career. The ex-catcher has been the "voice of the Brewers" since 1971, was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame and was baseball's 2003 winner of the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting. He has also starred in commercials, the television sitcom "Mr. Belvedere" and the "Major League" movies.